Want to know what’s in your FBI file?
June 30, 2008
Wonder what that background check said? Need to remember all the civil rights meetings you attended in the 1960s? The FBI might know. Has anyone ever called you whose buddy once spoke on the phone with someone suspected of terrorism? Did you follow that? Even if you didn’t, the FBI might have. And you can ask. In fact, about 13,000 people do just that every year—they ask to see their FBI files. Since 9/11, federal agencies have more power to watch and listen, and the vast repository of files... More
We don’t want to be L.A. East
June 30, 2008
The problem is here and the problem is real. The problem is gangs. We may be 3,000 miles from Los Angeles, but we’ve got the Crips and the Bloods, not to mention MS-13 in other parts of Maryland. While there were already troubling indications of the extent of the problem, the drive-by shooting of two small children in early June lodged the issue squarely in the public consciousness. A 2-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl were shot while playing in an inflatable swimming pool in West Baltimore’s... More
Time for answers in Sowers case
June 30, 2008
The State’s Attorney’s office says it doesn’t want to talk about it any more because it’s a personal matter. Sorry, folks, but it’s not that simple. By publicly questioning the veracity of reports surrounding the beating of Zach Sowers last June that led to his death in March, city state’s attorney spokesperson Margaret Burns ignited a firestorm of controversy that can only be quelled by full disclosure. In last month’s issue of Exhibit A, Burns told our reporter, Melody Simmons, that... More
What is marital property?
June 30, 2008
Marital property is defined as all property acquired by either or both parties during their marriage. It does not include property acquired prior to the marriage, property acquired by inheritance or gift from a third party or property excluded by valid agreement or traceable to any of these sources. Whether or not alimony is awarded, a court may still make a monetary award based on the value of all marital property. In determining the award and amount, the court is required to consider many factors.... More
What are alimony and child support?
June 30, 2008
Alimony is payment for support of a spouse. Under the law of Maryland, either party may claim alimony from the other. The fact that the party seeking alimony may be guilty of some ground for divorce does not prevent an award of alimony to that party. Each party has a responsibility for the support of a minor child or children. A formula called the child support guidelines is used by the court to determine the amount of child support. Child support awards are primarily based on the gross incomes... More
What are grounds for divorce?
June 30, 2008
A limited divorce may be granted on the following grounds: 1. Cruelty of treatment of spouse or a minor child. 2. Excessively vicious conduct. 3. Desertion. 4. Parties are voluntarily living separate and apart without cohabitation and there is no reasonable expectation of reconciliation. An absolute divorce may be granted because of: 1. Adultery. 2. Separation of the parties under the following circumstances: uninterrupted desertion for at least 12 months, which is deliberate and final and in which... More
What are the types of divorce?
June 30, 2008
There are two types in Maryland: A limited divorce specifies the rights and obligations of the parties, but does not provide for final division of property (including pension and retirement funds) and does not permit remarriage. An absolute divorce terminates the marriage and determines all rights and obligations of the parties, including final division of property. Source: Maryland State Bar Association Read More →
Long-term care: What legal documents are needed?
June 30, 2008
From an estate-planning perspective, wills, financial powers of attorney and advanced medical directives. From the long-term care service perspective, contracts with the long-term care provider should be carefully reviewed. An advanced medical directive usually provides for very difficult end-of-life decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment. Do-not-resuscitate orders can be used if an individual desires and are usually obtained from health-care providers. What plans can people make in case they... More
Don’t let your vacation turn into a rip-off
June 30, 2008
People usually associate vacations with paradise rather than punishment, but there’s a body of federal and state law to prove that, well, stuff happens. Every day, flights are overbooked, hotels are oversold and sickness overcomes a cruise ship passenger somewhere.
Because most travel disputes involve relatively small amounts of money, lawyers often... More
DNA collection works, crime victim says
June 30, 2008
Laura Neuman was raped at age 18, but the man who broke into her apartment and held a gun to her head was not arrested for the crime until 19 years later. Neuman believes that a law, signed by Gov. Martin O’Malley in May to go into effect Jan. 1, 2009, will save many others from the ordeal she can never forget. Under the law, the DNA of people charged with felonies including arson, murder, rape and robbery will be compared with DNA found at other crime scenes. This will put more criminals behind... More
